STORY: Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro on Monday (November 3) praised UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk for his recent criticism of U.S. airstrikes in South America on Friday (October 31), calling it a step forward for international law and regional stability. Turk condemned U.S. strikes on alleged drug traffickers as “unacceptable” and a violation of human rights law.

Maduro, speaking on his weekly program, said Turk’s statement was a welcome change and that the world needs a human rights chief who defends international norms and opposes crimes threatening the Caribbean. In July, Venezuela's government-allied National Assembly unanimously declared Volker Turk persona non grata, after he publicly decried what he said were arbitrary detentions, forced disappearances and other human rights violations in the South American country.

Later during his program, Maduro also highlighted Venezuela’s long-standing military cooperation with Russia, describing it as calm, productive, and set to continue. The Kremlin, on its side, called on Saturday (November 1) for calm in Venezuela-U.S. relations, according to Russia’s TASS news agency.

A U.S. campaign in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific against what Washington says is the illegal drug trade has targeted at least 14 boats and killed 61 people.

The United States has built up a large military presence in the Caribbean in recent months, with fighter jets, warships and thousands of troops. Maduro has repeatedly alleged that the United States is hoping to drive him from power.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO SPEAKING ON HIS TV PROGRAM "CON MADURO MAS" / SOUNDBITES FROM MADURO

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (NOVEMBER 3, 2025) (VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT TV - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO, AT THE START OF HIS TV PROGRAM "CON MADURO MAS" FROM A HEALTH FACILITY FOR WORKERS AND SECURITY OFFICIALS

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT, NICOLAS MADURO, SAYING:

[SOUNDBITE CONTINUES OVER VARIOUS SHOTS OF MADURO]

"Last week, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk made a statement—we in Venezuela have often criticized him—but this time, his statement was truly positive. Volker Trku put things in their proper place, and we see this as important progress. This is the kind of UN human rights chief the world needs. He is someone who defends international law, human rights, and stands against crimes like these that threaten the lives of Caribbean peoples and, most seriously, the peace and stability of our region."

3. MADURO SPEAKING DURING HIS TV PROGRAM

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT, NICOLAS MADURO, SAYING:

[SOUNDBITE STARTS OVER VARIOUS SHOTS OF THE JOURNALIST AND CONTINUES OVER VARIOUS SHOTS OF MADURO]

"We have daily, ongoing communication with the Russian government on all issues, as we have many projects in development. This week, there was major news about military cooperation—something natural, since we’ve had 25 years of military collaboration. A huge number of Venezuelan cadets and officers have trained in Russia, and many Russian officers have come to Venezuela. This cooperation has been calm, steady, and very fruitful, and it will continue."

5. MADURO SHAKING HANDS WITH JOURNALIST AT END OF INTERVIEW